Monday, November 14, 2005

I love the changing seasons. In Central Florida, where I live, we don't experience seasonal weather changes as much as our friends in other parts of the country, but we do enjoy the change in focus and the cooler weather fall and winter bring. We may not have snow, but we can enjoy lighted snowmen on the porch during the holidays!

Years ago when I taught school, I would change the décor of my home as often as I changed the one in my classroom--out with one season and in with another. I'd get rid of the old so we could embrace the new. Being a creature of habit, I still like to change my surroundings about every three months.

The Bible says that there is a season for everything in life (see Eccl. 3:1-8). If only we could embrace the seasons of our lives as willingly as we embrace the seasons of the year! It's been said that the only thing that is constant is change, but unfortunately, that's what we tend to resist, especially if it means going outside our comfort zones.

God has planned the seasons of our lives with infinite wisdom. He has ordained each one, knowing exactly what fruit is to be harvested during each time frame. I believe that since His desire is to do us only good, He enjoys each season He plans for us (see Jer. 29:11). So why are we so prone to resist the season we're in?

"But I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says the Lord, thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope." ~Jer 29:11

It's as if we are never satisfied. When it's summer, we want fall. When it's winter, we want summer. When we are single, we want to be married. When we are married, we want children, and when we have children, we want them to be grown and out of the house. When the nest is finally empty, we miss them and want them back - at least for a little while.

Yet we tend to criticize the children of Israel, who sinned against God for their continued murmuring and complaining. Like spoiled children in the natural, they continually demanded more. God brought them out of 400 years of slavery, gave them rest from their enemies, and provided daily food, water, and protection.

But no matter what He did, it wasn't enough. It seems that what they really wanted was control of their own destiny and circumstances, not total dependence on an invisible God whose plans were for their good (see Jer. 29:11). As a result, an entire generation perished before receiving their promised inheritance.

The wilderness journey was not a picnic. It was an adventure into the unknown, and it was a change of season for an entire nation. But the Lord knew the way through that wilderness, just as He knows the way through ours.

He ushers in the seasons in our lives and walks us through them. All He desires is that we embrace what He is doing in our lives with faith and gratitude (see 1 Thess. 5:18).

God is always working, even in seasons when we don't see much activity. During the season of planting, when there is no harvest, God is watering, nurturing, fertilizing and containing us so that in due season we can bring forth the fruit of righteousness He desires.

After a season of harvest, He often initiates a time of pruning (see John 15:1-2). Painful though this may be, it is necessary for us to produce even more fruit. We can trust God to do whatever He needs to do in our lives today because of His proven faithfulness yesterday (see Lam 3:22-23).

During this season of thanksgiving, let's determine to count our blessings and enjoy, as He does, the season He has us in. Every day is a gift, and we should savor all the sights, sounds, smells, friendships, fellowship, family, food and fun of the season. Let's also be thankful that God, in His infinite wisdom, planned our lives and leads us through many fruitful seasons. Instead of wishing we were in a different one, let's embrace and enjoy the one we are in right now (see Gal. 6:9).

"And let us not grow weary while doing good, for in due season we shall reap if we do not lose heart." ~ Gal 6:9

Wednesday, November 09, 2005

Scripture of the day: "Let no corrupt communication proceed out our your mouth, but that which is good to the use of edifying, that it may minister grace unto the hearers." ~Ephesians 4:20During the course of a day with all the responsibilities and tasks before us, we can easily become stressed and lash out verbally at our children.

I must admit that this has been an area in my life that I had to overcome. I didn't really lash out to others, but could easily respond with sarcasm which is just as bad. I am better, but daily I have to consciously work on my verbal responses and tone.

I am becoming more and more aware of the impact of how our family life as a child indirectly affects us as adults. It seems as though the older I get, the more I realize how certain parts of me, be it good, or not so good, chiefly come from habit or a way of life to which I have been accustomed.

Of course, I want to pass on the good things to my children, but I don't want to pass on the negative. Negative habits or ways can easily pass from generation to generation.

"..But be transformed by the renewing of your mind." ~Romans 12:2

I did not grow up in a christian home. Yes, my family went to church, and they were "good" people, but living for the Lord was not there goal.

The life of our home and our relationships with our children will affect them in someway for the rest of their lives.

Lord,As homeschooling mothers, we have so much that we are responsible for. Help us to create the homelife for our families that will glorify you, and affect generations to come.Amen.